Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline by capturing biomarker evidence within the fibers of actively growing hair strands. When collected adjacent to the scalp, hair can reveal a detection span of up to around 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, moderately resistant to tampering, and easy for transport.
A 1.5-inch segment comprising roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg, the perfect amount for initial testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or beyond 10 panels, 150mg is advised. Utilizing a jeweler's scale for measurement is suggested. If head hair is unavailable, a corresponding amount of body hair may be sourced. References to head hair pertain strictly to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The key stages in processing a lab-based drug test result consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial step of processing a sample within a laboratory's framework. This includes checking the sample's sealing and shipment integrity, issuing a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input omitted by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial expedited evaluation for drug presence. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation for court admissibility. Any samples preliminarily positive in Screening require a confirmatory step.
If Screening suggests a possible positive, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. Here, drug substances are retrieved from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair testing the most challenging methodology to execute.
Confirmation of positive results from Screening is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples undergo necessary washing prior to confirmation. The full lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although termed "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis targets the hair strand and not the follicular root below the scalp
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in North, SC: Hair follicle testing offers significant advantages over traditional urine tests, especially in terms of detection duration and reliability. While urine tests can detect recent drug use, hair tests provide an extended overview, capturing up to 90 days of substance use history. This far-reaching detection period makes hair testing ideal for employers seeking a comprehensive understanding of an individual's habits.
Moreover, hair tests are harder to deceive, as they involve direct sample collection from the individual. This reduces the likelihood of sample adulteration, a concern with urine tests. For those in North, SC looking for a robust method to uphold their substance use policies, hair follicle testing proves to be an invaluable tool that delivers trustworthy and actionable results.
Extended Detection Window in North, SC: One major advantage of hair follicle testing is its ability to detect drug use over an extended period, up to 90 days. This offers employers and other institutions a detailed view into an individual's substance history, enabling better-informed decisions.
This method stands out because it can reveal patterns of use that traditional methods like urine testing may miss. By analyzing the hair, businesses and authorities can get a more accurate picture of long-term substance abuse, ensuring they have all the necessary information before taking action.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in North, SC: Hair follicle testing significantly curtails the chances of sample tampering, unlike other testing methods where adulteration can be prevalent. The direct and supervised collection of hair samples makes it highly unlikely for individuals to alter the results, thereby assuring test accuracy.
The integrity provided by hair tests ensures reliable results that cannot be questioned easily. Employers and institutions prioritize this method for its robustness and security, knowing they can trust the findings in making crucial decisions regarding substance use policies.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in North, SC: Our testing centers are located nationwide, making hair follicle drug testing convenient and accessible. Clients benefit from quick and hassle-free testing services, no matter where they are situated in the country, including North, SC.
This extensive network allows for prompt service delivery, removing geographical barriers and ensuring anyone can access the testing locations, improving the overall user experience and ensuring timely testing processes.
Simple, Confidential Process in North, SC: The process of ordering, taking, and receiving results from hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential. It addresses privacy concerns effectively, ensuring individuals feel comfortable and assured when obtaining a test in North, SC.
This seamless procedure prioritizes confidentiality, from the initial testing order to the final results, ensuring all steps comply with privacy regulations and providing peace of mind through user-friendly processes.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in North, SC: Our competitive pricing models ensure that hair follicle testing is accessible to companies of all sizes, offering excellent value. Coupled with fast turnaround times, this delivers not only quality but also affordability and prompt service.
Our clients enjoy the benefits of cost-effective testing solutions without compromising on speed or accuracy, making it an attractive option for employers seeking reliable substance use monitoring within budget constraints.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in North, SC: Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precision and speed. By analyzing hair samples, these tests provide highly accurate insights into substance use. Their efficiency enables quick reporting, which is essential for timely decision-making in workplace or legal scenarios. This method effectively pinpoints drug use patterns, offering critical information with minimal wait times.
These tests deliver results with exceptional reliability. Hair analysis minimizes the chance of errors, ensuring that the findings reflect true substance use history. With rapid processing, hair follicle testing stands out in the market as a trusted method, delivering clarity and precision for both companies and individuals alike in North, SC.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in North, SC: Utilizing hair follicle testing allows companies to comply with drug-free workplace policies effectively. This contributes to legal risk reduction and enhances workplace safety, providing employers with peace of mind.
The comprehensive insight offered by this testing method ensures clarity in drug use history, helping to mitigate risks associated with substance abuse. Employers feel confident knowing their drug testing program adheres to regulations, bolstering both safety and compliance.